Click here to read PSALM 118 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 118 is in the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms (Psalms 107-150). These 44 Psalms, like the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, show God’s Word as the source of salvation, deliverance, and healing. This would be fully carried out in the life of the coming Messiah, the living Word, Jesus Christ. Psalm 118 declares that the Messiah would trust in the Lord and not fear man. Jesus Christ fulfilled this Psalm as the “stone which the builders refused” that is “become the head stone of the corner.” He also fulfills it as “he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 118 is the final of six “Hallel” (praise) Psalms (113-118). They were an important part of the Passover meal ceremony. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the meal after two cups of wine had been drunk. Then Psalms 115-118 were sung.
Structure
(Verses 1-4) Give thanks unto the Lord for His goodness and mercy endures forever
(Verses 5-9) The Messiah calls upon the Lord in his distress, and the Lord answers him
(Verses 10-13) The Lord helps the Messiah when he is surrounded by his enemies
(Verses 14-18) The Lord is the Messiah’s salvation, and delivers him from death
(Verses 19-24) The Lord makes the Messiah the head of the corner, though refused by others, and he will praise the Lord
(Verses 25-28) The Lord sends prosperity and blesses the Messiah, who is the perfect sacrifice, and he will praise the Lord
(Verse 29) Give thanks unto the Lord for His goodness and mercy endures forever
Key Scriptures
Verses 5,6—“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord ison my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” This is quoted in Hebrews 13:6. The context in Hebrews shows that God Who delivered the Psalmist in Psalm 118:5, does even more for us today in Christ. Hebrews 13:5,6,8: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” God’s promises in Christ will last forever.
Verses 22-24—“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Verse 24 is often quoted that we should rejoice in “today” because the Lord made it. That is true. But the real context of rejoicing and being glad, is in “the day” that God sent the stone to become the head of the corner. Our true rejoicing is in Christ; that is marvelous in our eyes. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, is this stone that becomes the cornerstone.
Although rejected even by his own people (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10,11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; I Peter 2:4), the Messiah has become the true foundation and cornerstone (Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20). He is a stone of stumbling to some (Isaiah 8:14; Romans 9:33; I Peter 2:8), but precious and tried and sure to others (Isaiah 28:16).
Verse 26—“Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.” The phrase “in the name of the Lord” is used 44 times in the King James Version of the Bible. In the Old Testament, it is used in association with God’s ministers (Deuteronomy 18:5,7; 21:5), prophets: true and false (Deuteronomy 18:22; I Chronicles 21:19; II Chronicles 33:18; Jeremiah 11:21; 26:9,16,20; 44:16; Zechariah 13:3), in claiming victory (I Samuel 17:45; Psalms 118:10-12), in making vows or oaths or curses (I Samuel 20:42; I Kings 22:8; II Kings 2:24; II Chronicles 18:15), in blessing (II Samuel 6:18; I Chronicles 16:2; Psalms 118:26; 129:8), relating to altars (I Kings 18:32), getting help (Psalms 124:8), trusting (Isaiah 50:10; Zephaniah 3:12), walking (Micah 4:5).
In the gospels it refers to Jesus Christ coming in his Father’s name (Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 13:35; 19:38; John 12:13).
In Acts, Paul’s letters, and James; it refers to the authority and salvation that we have in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:16; 9:29; 10:48; 19:5; I Corinthians 6:11; Colossians 3:17; James 5:10,14).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
